Typewriting machine



W. F. HELMOND.

TYPEWRITING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.5.1919.

1,405,412, Patented Feb.7,1922.

W. F. HELMUWD.

TYPEWHITING MACHINE.

APPLICATXON FILED MAR. 5.19i9.

laned Fb. 7, 1922.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W. F. HELMONDl` TYPEWRITING MACHINE.

APPLICATIoN HLED MAR. 5. 1.919.

Patented Feb. 7, 1922.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

W. F. HELMOND.

TYPEWRITING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 5. 1919.

Patented Feb. 7, 1922.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

'UNITED s-'rA'rEs PATENT oFFlc WILLIAM F. HELMOND, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOIR TO UNDERWOOD TYPEWBITEB COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

TYPEWRITIN'G MACHINE.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM F. Hier.- MoND, a citizen of the United States, reslding in Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Typewriting. Machines, of which the following 1s a Specification. p

This invention relates mainly to the c arriages of typewrit'ng machines of the klnd in which. a platen is carried by a platen frame which is shiftable upon the carriage,

- to enable upper and lower-case letters to be printed.

Since it is a necessity-that the parts move with utmost freedom at the shifting operation, it has been the practice to mount the platen fra-me loosely. This has interfered with accuracy of printing, made it diflicult to fit they platen frame properly t o the carriage, and rendered the operation noisy. The shifting is effected by the pressure of the operator s finger upon a key on the keyboard, and hence must not be burdensome, while the operation must be very rapid 1n order to meet the demand for rapid type- Writing. The problem is further .complicated by the, necessity of making all of the parts very light, since the typewrlter carriage must move and come to rest between type impressions, which are often made at the rate of fifteen to twenty per second. The problem is to secure accuracy of wrlting and ease of operation at such high speed, by means of mechanism which must be lightly constructed, although carrying a heavy platen.

Certain of the objects of my invention are to reduce the cost of producing the parts, to render them easy to assemble b comparatively unskilled workmen, to eliminate the necessity of fitting parts accurately in manufacture, to secure increased freedom of movement of the platen and platen frame at the case-shifting operation, and to accom-` Specification of Letters Patent.

minute relative displacements which occur Patented Feb. '7,l 1922.- Appneatin mea March 5, 191s. serial No. 280,724.

between the work-sheet and the platen, when the carriage receives such shocks; and they occur largely becuseof the looseness of the platen in the platen frame, and of the platen frame 1n the carriage, which permit minute endwise independent movements of the platen. It is one of the obects of the invention to overcome this di culty. f

The present improvements are shownl as applied to the carriage of an Underwood typewriting machine. K It has been customary .to mount upon the rectangular main carriage a platen frame built u of sheetmetal, and to guide said platen flfame in its up-and-down movements by means of arms or so-called lift hooks, mounted upon a rock shaft which is journaled in the main carriage. It has been found necessary to make the platen a little loose endwise in its bearings in the platen frame, and the platen frame must fit loosely endwise in the rocking frame, and the rocking frame must fit loosely endwise in its bearings upon the typewriter carriage; all of these loose littings being Anecessary in order to permit the necessary free movement. To reduce the liability of both platen and frame to shake, and the resultant inaccuracy of printing, it has been the practice to provide a vertical guide upon the carriage for the platen frame, this guide usually engaging the platen axle.

The mounting of said rock shaft in the carriage has also usually been such as to permit slight forward and backward adjustment of either end of the frame, and hence of the platen, so as to bring the printing surface thereof into exact parallelism with the direction of travel of the carriage, and also into exact position for receiving the blows of the types. It is the practice in said Underwood machine to allow the typebars to contact with a so-called stop ring or anvil in the form of a metal segment,

' whereby the type-bars are positively armeans in the present invention, in connection with means for eliminating all play endwise between the rocking frame and the carriage frame, while permitting increased freedom ofmovement and at the same time avoiding noise.

In order to secure such forward and backward adjustment, said rock shaft is hinged to eccentric bushings which are mounted in the carriage frame. Each bushing may be turned independently of the other, so as to adjust either end of the platen forwardly or backwardly.

The rocking frame may be fitted tightly against any possible endwise play, while swinging quietly and wlth greater freedom than has heretofore been possible. 'lo this end said rock shaft is mounted in the carriage vframe by means of ball-bearings, and said eccentric bushings are made relatively adjustable axially against elements of said bearings so as to take up all end la p 'lyo overcome the difficulty of fitting a loose, weak platen frame properly to its lift hooks or rocking frame, so that there will be freedom of motion, and without looseness and consequent noise and inaccuracy of printing, l take twb steps, one of which is to makethe platen frame oversize, say one-sixteenth of an inch too long to fit between the lift hooks or rock arms. lln assembling the parts, these arms are wedged or sprung apart sufficiently to permit the. platen frame to be set between them. This not only eliminates endwise play between the platen frame and the life hooks with its shake and noise, but also renders it practicable to assemble these parts qulckly and inexpensively, even if the platen frames are not manufactured exactly alike, some being longer than others, since the springing of the lift hooks together will compensate for any slight variations in` length of the platen frame.

The second step is to connect the platen frame to the lift hooks by means of such ball bearings that the platen frame will be about as firm as if made solid with the carriage, but will be permitted to shift up and down with even more freedom than has been found practicable heretofore. ln other words the construction of the rocking frame and the pivotal connections between the rock work-sheet upon the platen. An object of this portion of the invention is to support the platen rigidly while permitting it to rotate freely. Another object is to reduce the burdensome cost of altering the len h of each platen to [it it to its frame. form each platen frame end with an openin and force a headed bearing ring therein. ithin the bearing ring is formed a V-groove to receive a set of balls, which run upon cones through which the platen axle extends. Each pair of cones is provided with a coupling tube having a head at one end and spun over at the other end to confine and take up play of the balls; the whole ball bearing being thus confined permanently in the platen frame end, so that in order to mount a platen it is only necessary to pass the platen axle through the platen and the platen-frame ends. The platens .may be made all the same length, each being a little too short to fit between the platen frame ends. At one end a bushing is threaded into the platen head, so that it may be screwed out, thereby in effect elongating the platen until it fits between the platen frame ends, so as, to eliminate endwise shake of the platen. The platen is thus rigidly supported upon the main carriage frame, but may be freely raised and loweredand freely rotated. To maintain the platen of the proper length, I provide a series of very thin spacing washers, which are inserted between the head of the bushing screw and the hub of the platen. As many of these may be employed as are necessary to fill the space between said head and said hub. The platen may thus be quickly and cheaply fitted.

ln the Underwood machine, it has been the practice to have each end of the platen frame rest in two places upon the carriage, in lower-case ornormal position of the platen.

Owing to the weakness of the platen frame and the impracticability' of manufacturing all frames exactly the same, it has been found difficult to bring the platen frame to proper .rest upon the carriage, making it necessary to bend the frame here and there, which is slow work and demands the skill of a specialist.

One of the objects of the invention is to `reduce this diiiculty and simplify the operation of fitting the platen frame to the` carriage, and to seat the platen frame more firmly, and avoid liability of noise, which has heretofore occurred because of the inequality of the fitting of the platen frame rests or feet to the top of the carriage. ln carrying out this feature of the invention, the front feet or rests of the platen frame are formed as heretofore, and consist of one tongue extending down from each platen frame end. rlhe customary rear platen rests are omitted; but l arrange to support the between the 'end of the rom any cause, so that one of the forward' .rests does not come to a proper bearing upon the carriage, the platen-guiding arm at the laten frame may be bent a trifle up or own to brin the rest at that end of the platen frame 1nto proper' posltion; or the platen frame end itself may be bent a trifle. This is a simple operation, and the work is limited to correcting the vposition of only one of the rests, since the other two will not need attention; whereas, in the machine as heretofore constructed, it frequently happened that two of the rests had to be corrected. .Notwithstanding such correction, there was likely to be noise or rattling dueto the loose mounting of the platen frame; whereas, in the present construction, only one rest ever needs to be corrected, and the platen frame always rests lightly on the carriage frame without 11ability points. Y I/ Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.`

In the accompanying drawlngs,

Figure 1 is a sectional, side elevation of an Underwood front-strike typewrlting machine, illustrating certain of the present 1mprovements. v

Figure 2 is a perspective View of the platen frame, showing particularly the improved connection between the guide-frame, platen frame and carriage, and also the 1mproved manner of mountlng the platen 1n the `platen frame.

Figure 3 is a plan to show the ,relation platen frame, guidefframe and carriage. s

Figure 4-is a sectional, front elevation of the rocking frame which guides the platen frame, showing particularly the details whereby said rocking frame is rigidly hingedupon the carriage.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a ballbearing unit employed in connecting the rocking guide-frame/to the carriage.

, Figure 6 is a perspective of a threadedV bushing or sleeve seen in Figure 4 and employed in hinging the rocking frame upon the carriage. f Figure 7 is a sectional side elevation to illustrate the connection of the rocking frame.

Figure 8 is a front elevation, partly in of rattling at any of the three bearing.

'each bushing havin is formed an interlor V-groove 49, these section, to illustrate the manner of mounting the platen in the 'platen frame.

F1gure'9 is a part sectionl of a side elevation to illustrate the ball-bearing construction of the platen frame.

Figure 10 is a sectional side elevation to show the ball-bearing connection between the platen frame and one of the guide-frame arms. v

Figure 11 is a erspec'tive view of a nut or bushln threadedJ into the hub'of one of the platen eads, for adjusting the length thereof. This figure also shows two thin spacinor washers or fillers used in connection wit said nut.

Figure 12 is a perspective View upon a large scale, illustrating means for regulating the length of the platen andfor mounting the same in they aten frame.

As usual in the machine, type bars 20, operated by keylevers 21, strike against the front of a platen 22, which is shiftable up and down to enable dierent types 23 to print, there being a shift key 24.which is usually mounted upon a lever 25, which operates an arm 26 pendent from a rock shaft 27 and forming part of a lift, frame 28, which also includes a horizontalrail 29 upon which runs a roll 30, said roll mounted upon the lower portion 31 of a platen frame, whichis thus shifted 'up and down together with the platen 22.

Said platen frame is'hinged to a carriage frame 32 running upon stationary front and rear tracks 33, 34. The hinge-rod is seen at 35, and is carried by ears 36, 37 which rise from `the rear bar of the rectangular carriage 32. From this hinge-rod 35 extend forwardly guide-arms 38, which, at their forward ends, are fitted to gudgeons 39 provided upon the ends 40, 41 of the platen frame; said platen frame also comprising a paper-guiding shelf 42 in "rear of "theplaiten and a .bar 43 which connects said en s. g

The vibrating arms or lift hooks 38 have bosses or hubs 44, which are fixed upon the ends of said hinge-,rod 35; and pairs of ball-bearing cones 45 are fixed upon said hinge-rod or rock-shaft, and set up against these bosses. In the. carriage ears are mounted bushings 46, 47 ,'the outer end of a head 48 in which grooves completing the raceways for bearing balls 50.

At Figure 4., the dleft-hand bushing 46 is shown as setup againstl the carriage ear 36,

and as clamped `firmly therein by means of a screw 51, which connects the portions into which the ear is split. Theright-hand bush'- ing 47 is shown as contained within a bushing 52, which is threaded through the carriage ear 37, the head 53 of this bushing nderwood typewriting 52 being formed for engagement by a wrench, whereby it may be turned out as far as required, in order to take up endwlse play of the hinge-rod 35; and this buslung 52 is clamped by a screw 51 in the same manner as the left-hand bushing 46, so as to retain 52 at the po-int to which it is ad- 'usted. It will be seen that the screw bushlng 52 and the main bushings 46, 47 are rigld with the carriage ears 36, 37, and thatthe cones 45 are rigid with the hinge-rod; and that owing to the presence of the bearmg balls 50, 1t becomes feasible to spread or separate the main bushings 46, 47 until the rocking Structure is tight upon the carnage, So that all liability of shake is eliminated, together with the noise, while there is more freedom of motion than practicable in the loosely-'fitted bearings heretofore found necessary.

Said main bushings 46, 47 are constructed and mounted for the purpose of adjusting the hinged frame 35, 38, together with the platen frame and platen, forwardly and backwardly at either end, the extent of adjustment being indicated by the dot-and-dash lines at Figure 7. The axis of hinge-rod 35 is eccentric to the bearings in the carria e ears 36, 37, so that by revolving the mam bushings 46, 47 in said bearings, forward or rear adjustments of the platen frame and platen may be secured. The rotation of the bushings may be effected by a wrench applied to the flattened portions 53a upon ends of the bushingswhich project through the carriage ears. The bushings are secured against rotation by tightening the screws 51. The screw bushing 52 is split from end to end, and compressible by the screw 5l, so that it may be caused to clamp the main or eccentric bushing 47 to hold the latter against rotation. rThe threads inthe screw bushing hold said bushing 47 against being forced to the left under the pounding action of the carriage and platen frame. The connection of the hinged frame to the carriage is solid and not subject to becoming loosened, while freedom of action is secured, and noise` is eliminated.

rllhe composite bushing, comprising the separate bushings 47, 52, provides a simple and practical means for adjusting the spacing of the cones to take up end play, and for adjusting the alignment of the platen, each independently of the other, since each of the separate bushings may be independently rotated to eflect its respective adjustment. means for effecting one of these adjustments may be omitted if desired. For example, the forward and backward adjustment of the platen may be omitted, or otherwise provided for, while still retaining the adjustment for taking up end play.

Each of the main or ecentric bushings,

1t will be obvious, however, that the f with its balls and cones, may be constructed as a unit for assembling into the machine or detachment therefrom. 'llo this end, the cones are mounted upon a short tubular coupling or lining 53", which is formed with an inner head or flange 54, and at its outer end is spun over the outer cone at 55, to take up the play of the balls 5() and to hold the cones and balls permanent-ly in the main bushing head 48, thus forming a unit, as at Figure 5. A space is left at 56 between Vthe cones in each pair, to permit the cones to facture of a combined carriage and shifting A frame.

At their forward ends, the vibrating arms or lift hooks 38 are fitted to gudgeons or stub shafts 39 mounted in the ends 40, 41 of the platen frame. Each of said ends has a large hole 56a, surrounded with a flange 56",v

and a ring forming an annular bearing 57 is inserted in this hole, said bearing having a head 58 which abuts againstthe flange or rim 561. The bearing is exteriorly grooved, undercut or tapered' at 59 from its inner face, and after the insertion of said bearing,

said flange 56b is forced into said undercut or taper 59, thus permanently securing the bearing in the end of the platen frame. Said bearing is interiorly grooved at 60 to contain la set of bearing balls 61; and cooperating cones 62 for said balls are held together upon a reduced shank 63 upon said gudgeon 39, one cone abutting against the body of the gudgeon, and the other cone being retained by a flange 64 upon the inner end of the shank 63, which flange is turned out after the cones and balls areassembled, thereby taking up the play of the balls; while a space is left at 65 between the cones to permit them to approach each other. rllhe platen frame, with the gudgeons and ball bearings, thus forms a unit, since the gudgeons are permanently retained. The gudgeons may be bored centrally to reduce weight, and also to facilitate the turning over of the cone-conning fianges'64.

The forward ends of the vibrating guidearms 38 are -provided with bearings at 66 to fit the gudgeons 39, and this may be a tight fit, since the gudgeons may be rigid with the arms and still turn freely, owing to the use of the ball bearings. Preferably each arm 38 is provided with a detachable cap 67 to fit over the gudgeon.

In assemblin the platen frame, the vibrating' guiderame and the carriage, the platen frame is made oversize, that is, about one-sixteenth of an inch too long to insert between the vibrating arms 38'. Said arms are then forced apart by any suitable means, so as to permit the introduction of the platen frame therebetween. The arms are then'perymitted to close upon the platen frame, holding the same permanently in a'strong grip. This normal. springy condition of the vibrating'frame is indicated diagrammatically f by the slight curvature of the hinge-rod 35 at Figure 3. The gudgeons 39 are provided with flanges 68, against which the arms 38 may press. The use of the balls 61 permits this tight but elastic relationship between the vibrating guide-frame and -the platen frame, and at the same time increases the ease and speed -of shifting action of the platen frame. Since'the4 platen frame and vibrating frame are normally tensioned, the flexing or warping of these frames, by reason of shocks received durin the carriage Jmovements, is greatly reduce The platen frame 40, 41, 42, 43 is practically rigid with the .carriage frame, except that it is shiftable freely up and down, and it is firmly held against sidewise or other distortion, which makes for both accuracy of printing and speed and quietness of operation, as well as reducing the liability ofethe sheet to slip on the platen, and renders unnecessary the sliding platen-frame guide heretofore used, since the platen frame is under control and not subject to being jarred out of place at any time-during the typing operations, especially in 'a direction longitudinal of the platen, and hence the impressionl of each type upon the paper carried by the platen is caused to be exactly in the desired relation to the impressions of other types, thus insuring evenness of printing or spacing. The platen is also mounted rigidly with the platen frame, and controlled against endwise shake, notwithstanding the relatively heavy weight of the platen and the light construction of the platen frame. To secure this rigid endwise control of the platen, and yet permit it to rotate freely, and eliminate noise, there are employed ball bearing devices, each of which comprises an annular bearing in the form of a ring 69 set into a hole 70 provided in the platen frame, the bearing ring having upon its inner end a head 71. An outer flange or rim 72 surrounds the hole, to form a broad support for the bearing, which is forced into said hole from the inside of the platen 60 frame, to bring said head 71 firmly against the end of the platen frame. This bearing 69 is provided with an interior V-groove 73 in which run bearing balls 74; and cones 75 are used to complete the raceways for the 65 balls. These cones are connected in each case by a tube or lining 76, in the manner already described, each tube 76 having formed thereon at one end a head 7 7, and being rolled out'at the other end to form a flange 78 to confine the spaced cones and take up the play of the balls. VThus the platen frame "with the gudgeon bearings and the platen axle bearings forms a unit, the ball bearings being permanently confined therein. If desired, however, the ball bearings for the platen may be forced inwardly to disconnect them from the platen frame. Said ball bearings are normally prevented from being dlsplaced y by the presence of the platen, which entirely fills .the space between the bearings, so that the bearing at one end cannot be forced towards'the bearing at the -other end, and hence is locked in the platen ,platen fits closely between the inner cones 75 of the ball-bearingstructures. This fit may be so tlght as to spring the ends of the platen frame a trifie, said platen frame being already sprung or tensioned, inwardly by the constant;y pressure of the guide-arms 38 towards each other, as already explained. The heavy platen is thus held successfully against endwise shake at the typing operation, notwithstanding the weakness of the sheetmetal platen frame. This tightness of c the platen and the platen frame, and between the guide-arms and the platen frame, does not result in binding at the bearings, because the balls overcome the tendency to bind. The platen is therefore rigid with the main carriage frame 32, except that it may rotate freely and also shift freely up and down. This makes for quietness and accuracy, and minimizes or avoids the liability of the sheet to creep or skew upon the platen. Very thin spacing washers 85 may be filled 1n betwe'en the head 84 of the bushing and the end of the platen'hub 82. More or as many washers may be employgd as required, in adapting the platen to ldifferent platen frames, which may vary a trifie 1n measurement. These spacing washers 85 may be inserted in the following manner.

The platen may first be placed between the roller-bearings andthe axle slipped through said bearings and platen. The bushing 81 may then be rotated in the direction such as to increase the effective length of the laten suficiently to effect the deslred tight t, re-

moving all end play between the platen and its frame. Measurement may then be made of the space between the head '84@ and the hub 82 of the platen head 83 to determine the number of washers 85 necessary to fill the gap. rlhe axle may then be withdrawn, the platen removed, and the bushingt8l separated therefrom. The number of washers previously determined upon may then be slipped over the bushing 81 against its head 84, and said bushing inserted and screwed firmly into the platen end to the extent permitted by said Washers. rllhe adjusted length of the platen having been in this manner effected, the platen may be forced to its place between the roller-bearings in the platen frame an` the axle again inserted and secured in place by meansv of the setscrew 80. These spacers prevent the bushing` 81 from turning in, and the platen-frame ends prevent it from turning out.V

The platen-frame has front feet 86 which normally, or in lower-case position, rest upon the tops of the end bars of the carriage frame 32; and upon the carriage are also provided the usual adjustable stops 87, which are engaged by shoulders 88 formed upon the platen-frame ends, to limit the upward shift of the platen frame for writing capital letters. Besides the feet 86 on the ends of the platen frame, the, latter is provided with a novel foot 89 at its rear middle portion, said foot attached to the cross-bar 43 which forms a portion of the platen frame, and resting upon a finished block 90 formed at the middle of the rear carriage-bar. Thus the platen frame normally rests upon three supports; and if it is noticed in assembling the parts that either of the front feet 86 fails to rest properly upon the carriage, it will only be necessary to bend the platen frame a triHe to bring the foot down into proper contact, the other front foot and the rear foot not requiring attention. There` fore, the matter `of adjusting the platen frame to its proper normal position of rest upon the carriage is much simplified and cheapened, and the machine is rendered more satisfactory, since the constant liability of noise, due to chattering of vany one of the four feet heretofore `used, is avoided.

Variations may be resorted to Within the scope of the invention, and portions of the improvements mayV be used Without others.

Having thus described my invention, li claim:

l.- rllhe combination with a carriage and a platen frame therefor, of a rocking frame connecting the carriage to the platen frame, said rocking frame comprising a hinge-rod or shaft, arms fixed upon the ends of said shaft and connected to said platen frame, bushings mounted upon the` carriage and provided/'With interior grooves, lballs running in the grooves, cones upon said shaft to hold the balls, and means toeifet relative adjustment of said bushings to make a tight ft between the rocking frame and the carriage.

2. The combination with a carriage and a platen frame therefor, of Aa rocking frame connecting the carriage to the platen frame, said rocking frame comprising a hingerod or shaft, arms fixed upon said rod and connected tosaid platen frame, bushings mounted upon the carriage and having heads provided With interior grooves, balls running in the grooves, and cones upon said hinge-rod toco-operate with the balls.

3. The combination with a carriage and a platen frame therefor, of a rocking frame connecting the carriage to the platen frame,

or shaft, arms fixed upon said rod and connected to said platen frame, bushings mounted upon the carriage and having heads provided with interior grooves, balls running in the grooves, cones upon saidhinge-'rod to co-operate with theballs, ears upon the carriage 'in which said bushings are mounted, one of said heads abutting against the ear, and means for effecting adjustment in axial direction of the other of said bushings.

4. The combination with a carriage and a platen frame therefor, of a rocking frame connecting the carriage to the platen iframe, said rockmg frame comprising a hinge-rod or shaft, arms fixed upon said rod and connected to said platen frame, bushings mounted upon the carriage and having heads provided With interior grooves, balls running in the grooves, cones upon said hinge-rod to co-operate with the balls, ears upon the carriage in which said bushings are mounted, one of said heads abutting against the ear, and-means for effecting adjustment in axial direction of the other of said bushings, said adjusting means comprising a third bush! ing threaded in one of said carriage ears and surrounding the main bushing, and in engagement with the head thereof to eect axial adjustment.

5. The combination with a carriage and a platen frame therefor, of a rocking frame connecting kthe carriage to the platen frame, said rocking vframe comprising" a hinge` rod or shaft, arms fixed upon said rod and said rocking frame comprising a hinge-rod lil@ connected to 'said platen frame, bushings l mounted upon the carriage and having heads provided With`interior grooves, balls running in the grooves, cones upon said hingerod toco-operate with the balls, ears upon the carriage in which said bushings are mounted, one of said heads abutting against the ear, means for effecting adjustment in axial direction of the other of said bushings, said adjusting means comprising a third bushing threaded in one of said carriage ears ree and surroundin` the vmainl bushing, and in engagement w1t the head thereof' to effect axlal adjustment, and means for clamping' said'. grooved bushings and said threaded bushing. l p

6. The combination with a carriage and a platen frame therefor, of a rocking frame connecting the carriage to the platen frame, said .rocklng frame comprising a hinge-rod or shaft, aia-ms fixed upon saidbrod and connected to said platen frame, bushings mounted upon the carriage and having heads provided with interior grooves, balls running in the grooves, cones u on said hinge-rod to co-operate with the ba ls, ears upon the carriage in which said bushings are mounted, one of said heads abutting against the ear, means for e'ecting adjustment in axial direction of the other of said bushings, said adjusting means comprising a third bush# ing threaded in one of said carriage ears -and surrounding the main bushing,J and in engagement with the head thereof toeifect axial adjustment,`and means for clamping saidv grooved bushings and said threaded bushing, said threaded bushing being split from end to end to permit it to be clamped upon the grooved bushing therewithin.

7, The combination with a carriage and a platen frame therefor, of a rocking frame connecting the carriage to the platen frame,

' said rocklng frame comprising a hinge-,rod

or shaft, arms fixed upon the ends of said shaft and connected to said platen frame, bushings mounted upon -the carriage and provided with interior grooves, balls running in the grooves; and cones uponv said shaft to hold the balls, said grooved bushings being mounted eccentrically of the hinge-rod, and being rotatable to permit adjustment ofthe rocking frame forwardly and lbackwardly. s

8. The combinationwith a letter-feeding carriage having ears or supports, of a rocking frame comprising a`hinge-rod or rock shaft, and arms extending fromv said rock shaft, a platen frame connected to said arms, bushings mounted in said carriage supports,

, each bushing having a head provided with an interior groove, ball-bearing cones upon said rock shaft to co-operate with said grooves to form raceways, and bearing balls in said raceways, means being provided in cluding screw-threads for adjusting one of said bushings in the carriage ear, so as to be capable of taking up the endwise play of the rocking frame upon the carriage.

9. The combination with ailetter-feeding carriage having ears or supports, of a rocking frame comprising a hinge-rod or rock l shaft, and arms extending from said rock shaft, a platen frame connected to said arms, bushings mounted in said carriage supports, each bushing havin a head provided with an interior groove, ball-bearing cones upon `rock shaft, a. platen frame connected to said arms, bushings mounted in said carriage supports, eac-h bushing having a head provided with. an interior groove, ball-bearing cones upon said rock shaftto co-operate with said grooves to form raceways, bearing balls insaid raceways, and adjustable means for taklng up play .between the rocking frame and the carriage, said bushings being eccentrlcally mounted in said carriage ears and independently adjustable rotatively.

11. The combination with a letter-feeding carriage, of a rocking frame hinged thereon, a platen fname connected to said rocking frame to be controlled thereby, said carriage having ears to which said rocking frame is hinged, said rocking frame comprising a hinge-rod or rock shaft and arms extending therefrom to said platen frame, means for holding the rocking frame rigidly against endwise play, while permitting free rocking movement, comprising pairs of cones upon the rock shaft, the latter having at its ends parts against which the pairs' 100 of cones may be set, bushings in said carriage ears having heads provided with grooves to co-operate with the cones to form raceways, balls running in the raceways,

and means to enable said bushings to be 10154 spread apart to force the cones against the arms on the hinge-rod, said heads beingy clear of said arms.

12. The combination with a carriage anda platen frame therefor, said carriage having ears, f a rocking frame connecting the carriage to the platen frame, said rocking frame comprising a hinge-rod or shaft, arms fixed upon the ends of said shaft and connected to said platen frame, bushings mounted upon the carriage ears and 'provided withninterior grooves, balls running in the grooves, cones upon said shaft to hold the balls, said bushings being eccentrically mounted in said carnage earsa'nd in- 120' dependently adjustable rotatively, and means to effect relatlve adjustment of said vbushings to make a tight fit between vthe a platen frame therefor, usaid carriage having ears, of a rocking frame Connecting .the carriage to the platen frame, said rocking frame comprising a hinge-rod or shaft, arms fixed upon the ends of Said shaft and connected to said platen frame, bushingsA mounted upon the carriage ears and provided with interior grooves, balls running in the grooves, cones upon said shaft to hold the balls, said ybushings being eccentrically mounted in said carriage ears and independently adjustable rotatively, and means to eect relative adjustment of said bushings to make a tight lit between the rocking frame and the carriage, said adjusting means comprising a third bushing,j one of said grooved bushings being enclosed in said third bushing which isy threaded into the carriage ear fori adjusting said grooved bushing in axial direction, said carriage ear being split and provided wit-h a clamping screw, and said threaded bushing being split longitudinally to enable it to be ,clamped upon the grooved bushing.

14:. 'llhe combination with a carriage and a platen fname therefor, said carriage having ears, of a rocking frame connecting the carriage tothe platen frame, said rocking frame comprising a hinge-rod or rock shaft, arms fixed upon the ends of said shaft and connected to said platen frame, bushings mounted upon the carriage ears and halving heads pnovided with interior grooves, balls running in the grooves, cones upon said shaft to hold the balls, said bushings being eccentrically mounted in said carriage ears and independently adjustable rotatively, and means to effect relative adjustment of said bushings to make atight it between the rocking frame and the carriage, said adjusting means comprising a third bushing, one of said grooved bushings being enclosed in said third bushing which is threaded into the carriage ear for adjusting said grooved bushing in axial direction, said carriage ears being disposed between the heads of said grooved bushings, and said heads being disposed between the arms on said rock shaft; one of said bushing heads being drawn against the carriage ears by the action of said third bushing upon the other grooved bushin 15. The combination with a letter-feeding carriage, of a rocking frame hinged thereon, a platen frame connected to said rocking frame to be controlled thereby, said carriage havin ears to which said rocking frame is hingeld, said rocking framer comprising a hinge-rod or rock shaft and arms extending therefrom to said platen frame, means for holding the rocking frame rigidly against endwise play, while permitting free rocking movement, comprising pairs of cones upon the rock shaft, the latter having at its ends parts against which theV pairs of cones may be set, bushings in said carriage ears having heads provided with grooves to co-operate with the cones to form raceways, balls running in the raceways, means to enable said bushings to be spread apart to force the cones against the arms on the hinge-rod, said heads being clear of said arms, said bushings 4 being eccentrically mounted in said carriage ears and independently adjustable rotatively, and means to secure said bushings where adj usted.

16. rlhe combination with a carriage and a platen frame therefor, of a rocking frameV frame and the carriage, said adjusting means comprising a third bushing, one of said grooved bushings being enclosed in said third bushing which is threaded into the carriage ear to adjust said grooved bushing in axial direction.

17. rllhe combination with a carriage and a platen frame therefor, of a rocking irame connecting the carriage to the platen frame, v

said carriage having ears, said rocking frame comprising a hinge-rod or rock shaft having bosses thereon, arms fixed upon the ends of said shaft and connected to said platen frame, bushings mounted upon the carriage ears having heads and provided with interior grooves, balls runnin in the grooves,

cones upon said shaft to ho d the balls, and

means to effect relative .adjustment of said bushings to make a tight fit between the rocking frame and the carriage, said carriage ears being disposed between the heads of said bushings, and said heads beingdisposed between the bosses on said rock shaft.

18. rlhe combination with a carriage .and a platen frame, of an intervening rocking frame hinged upon the carriageby means 0f units, each unit comprising a bushing having an interior groove, cones within said bushing to cooperate with said groove to form a raceway, balls in said raceway, and a tubulai` coupling upon which the cones are carried.

19. The combination with a carriage and a platen frame, of an intervening rocking frame hinged upon the carriage by means of units, each unit comprising a bushing having an interior groove, cones within said bushing to co-operate with said groove to form .a raceway, balls in said raceway, and a tubular coupling upon which the cones are carried,said cou ling having at one end 'a/platen frame, of anintervening rocking frame hinged upon the carriage by means of v units, each unit comprising a bushin having Y an interior groove, cones within sa1d bushing to co-operate with said groove to form a raceway, balls in said raceway, vand a tubular coupling upon which the cones are carried, one of said units .also comprising an exterior longitudinally-split threaded bushing upon the grooved bushing,

21.' The combination with a carriage and a platen frame, ofi an intervening rocking frame hingedf upon the carriage by means of units, each unit comprising a bushing havingv an interior groove, cones within said bushing to co-operate with said groove to form a raceway, balls in said raceway, and la tubular cou ling upon which the cones are carried, said) coupling having at oneJend a flange orv head, and being at its other end spun or turned over upon one of the cones, a space being left between the cones to permit the taking up of play dueto wear.

22. The combination with a carriage having ears or supports, and a platen frame, of an intervenin rocking frame hinged upon the carriage y means of units, each unit comprising a bushing inserted in a carriage ear and having a head provided with an interior groove, cones within said bushing t0 co-operate with said groove to form a raceway, balls in said raceway, and a tubulari coupling upon which the cones are set, one

' `of said units also comprising an exterior 4 screws.

longitudinally-split threaded bushing 4upon the headed bushing, and said carriage ears being split and provided with clamping 23. The combination of a letter-feeding and a platen frame connected to said rocking frame to be guided thereby, said platen frame and rocking frame being of unmatched dimension and forced intol co-operative relation, said rocking frame constantly tensioning said platen frame. l

tending to resume its natural form and thereby constantly tensioning against said platen frame in a direction longitudinal of the platen.

24.A The combination of a letter-feeding carriage, a rocking frame hinged thereto by means of tight ball bearings, and a platen frame connected by ball bearings to` said rocking frame to be uided thereby, said platen frame and roc ing frame being of unmatched dimension. and forced into cooperative relation, saidvrocking frame constantly tending to resume its natural form and .thereby taking up' the lay Yin the platen-frame ball bearmgs an constantly 25. The combination .of a letter-feeding carriage, a'rocking frame hinged thereto by ball bearings and comprising a pai-not guide arms, and a platen frame hinged to said guide arms and gripped therebetween, said 70.

platen frame beingoversize, and said arms being sprung apart to accommodate the platen frame and by their reaction to exert` constant pressure upon the platen frame.

The. combination of a letter-feeding carriage, arocking frame hinged thereto by ball bearings and comprising a pair of guide arms, and a platen frame hinged to said gulde arms and gripped therebetween, said platen framebeing oversize, and said arms being sprung a art to accommodate the platen frame an by their reaction to exert constant pressure upon the platen frame, said platen frame being hinged to said' arms by `means of ball bearings, which permit the 85 said rocking frame comprising a pa1r of 95 arms, and a platen frame sprung between sald arms and held rigidly thereto by means .of ball bearings.

28..The combination of a letter-feeding carriage,` a rocking frame hinged thereto 10( and comprising a pairof guide arms, and a platen frame hinged to said guide arms, said platen frame having ends, bearing rings provided with internal grooves fixed upon said ends, gudgeons fitted on said arms 101 and having cones to co-operate with said grooves to form raceways, and bearing balls for the raceways.

29. The combination of a letter-feeding carriage, a rocking frame hinged thereto, a"11( platen frame connected tov said rocking frame to be guided thereby, said platen frame and rocking `frame beingg of unmatched dimension and forced into'co-operative relation, said rocking frame constantly 11| tending to resume its natural form ,and

thereby constantly tensioned` against said platen frame in a direction ldngitudinal of the platen, and a platen mounted by means of ball bearings in said platen frame.

30. The combination of a letter-feeding carriage, a rocking frame hinged thereto, a platen lframe connected to said rocking frame to be guided thereby, said platen matched dimension and forced into co-operative relation, said rocking frame constantly tending to resume its natural 'form and thereby constantly tensioned against said -frame and rocking frame being of unplaten frame ina direction longitudinal of means of ball bearings which hold the rocking frame against play in axial direction, a

platen frame connected by ball bearings to said rocking frame, said rocking frame being so constructed as to maintain ressure on the platen frame in a direction ongitudinal of the carriage to hold the platen frame constantly under tension, and a platen mounted by means of ball bearings in said platen frame.

32. rThe combination of a letter-feeding carriage, a rocking frame hinged thereto by ball bearings and comprising a pair of guide arms, a platen frame hinged to said guide arms and gripped therebetween, said platen frame being oversize, and said arms being sprung apart to accommodate the platen frame and by their reaction to exert constant pressure upon the platen frame, said platen frame being hinged to said arms by mea-ns of ball bearings, which permit the platen frame to be gripped and tensioned by said arms while allowing free relative pivotal movement, and a platen mounted by means of ball bearings in said platen fra/me.

33. The combination of aI letter-feeding carriage having ears or mounts, a rocking frame hinged to said ears bylmeans of ball bearings, means being provided for taking up any endwise play of the rocking frame between said ears, said rocking frame comprising a pain of arms, a platen frame mounted between said arms and held thereto by means of Vball bearings, said rocking frame being constructed and proportioned so as automatically to prevent any endwise play of the platen frame between said arms, and a platen mounted by means of ball bearings in said platen frame, means being provided for taking up any endwise play of the platen in the platen frame.

34. The combination of a carriage, a platen frame, an intervening rockingframe,

comprising arms hinged upon said carriage and connected to said platen frame, said i platen-frame having ends, each end having a hole, a ring comprising an annular bearing inserted in each hole, said ring being interiorly grooved, a set of bearing balls running in the interior groove, a pair of cones within said ring and co-operating with said interior groove to form Ia raceway for said balls, and gudgeons fitted to said arms and having reduced Shanks extending within said cones, one of the cones in each pair abutting against theA body of the gudgeon,

and the other cone being confined by a Harige turned upon the inner end of the shank.

35. rli`he combination of a carriage, a platen frame, an intervening rocking frame, comprising arms, hinged upon said carriage and `connected to said platen frame, said platen frame having ends, each end having a hole, a ring comprising an annular bearing inserted in each hole, said ring being interiorly grooved, a set of bearing ballsrunning in the interior groove, a. pair of cones within said ring and co-operating with said interior groove to form a raceway for-said balls, and gudgeons fittedf to said arms and having reduced Shanks extending within said cones, one of the cones in each pair abutting against the body of the gudgeon, and the other; cone being confined by a flange turned upon the inner end of the shank, a space being left between the cones to permit the taking up of play due to wear.

36. The combination of a carriage, a platen frame, an intervening rocking frame hinged upon said carriage and connected to said platen frame, said platen frame having ends, each end having a hole surrounded with a flange, a ring comprising an annular bearing inserted in each hole, said ring having a head and being exteriorly grooved or undercut, said flange forced into said groove or undercut, said ring being `interiorly.

grooved, a set of bearing balls running in the interio-r groove, a air offcones within said ring and co-operatmg with said interior groove to form a raceway for said balls, and means connecting said cones to said platen frame.

37. rll`hel combination with a letter-feeding i carriage, of a platen frame, a rocking frame hinged upon said letterefeeding carriage by ,mea-ns of ball bearings which hold the rocking frame tightly against endwisev shake, said rocking frame pivoted to said platen frame by means of ball bearings which hold the platen frame tightly against endwise shake, and a platen mounted onv said platen frame.

38. The combination with a letter-feeding carriage, otra platen frame, a rocking frame hinged uponI said letter-feeding carriage by means of ball bearings which hold the rocking frame tightly against endwise shake, said rocking 'frame pivoted to said platen frame by means of ball bearings which hold Lthe platenE frame tightly against endwise shake, and a platen mounted on said platenr frame by ball bearings which hold the platen tightly against e-ndwise shake.

39. rlhe combination with a letter-feeding carriage, of a platen frame, a rocking frame hinged upon said letter-feeding carriage by means of ball bearings which hold the rock ing frame tightly against endwise shake, said rocking frame pivoted to said platen frame by means of ball bearings which hold bearing rings having a-groove, pairs of cones the platen frame tightly against endvvise through which the platen axle extends, tubes shake, the platen frame and the. rocking on the platen axle Within said pairs of cones, frame being so constructed and proporsaid pairs of cones being confined upon said ytioned that the platen frame will be held tubes and co-operating with the grooves in' constantly under pressure by the. rocking the bearing rings to formV raceways, and

frame, and a platen mounted on said platen .bearing balls in the raceways, said platen frame. having a head and a threaded bushing there- 40. The combination of a platen having an for, adjustable to take up endwise play of the axle, a platen frame having ends, bearing platen.

rings fixed in said ends, each of said bearing 45. The combination of a platen having'an rings having a groove, pairs of cones axle, a platen frame having ends, bearing through which the platen axle extends, tubes rings 'fixed in said ends, each -of said bear'- on the platen axle Within said pairs of cones, -ing rings having a groove, pairs of cones said pairs of cones being confined upon said through which the platen axle extends, tubes tubes and co-operating with the grooves in on the platen axle Within said pairs of the bearing ring's to form racevvays, and cones, said pairs of cones being confined bearing balls inthe raceways. upon said rtubes and co-operating With the 41. The combination of a platen havingv grooves in the bearing rings to form racean axle, a platen frame having ends, bearing Ways, bearing balls in the raceways, said rings fixed in said ends, each of said bearing platen having a head and a threaded bushrings having a groove, pairs of cones ing therefor, adjustable to take up endvvise through which the platen axle extends, tubes play of the platen, and fillers or spacing on the platen axle Within said pairs of cones, Washers inserted between said threaded bushsaid pairs of cones being confined uponsaid ing and lthe end of the platen. tubes and co-operating with the grooves in 46.` The combination of a platen frame the bearing rings to form raceways, and having ends provided with holes, headed bearing balls in the raceways, each of said bearing rings forced into said holes, the tubes having a head at one end and spun headsbeing on the inside of the platen frame over at the other end to take up play of the ends, said rings havin interior grooves, balls. rcones encircled by said rings and co-operat- 42. The combination .of a3 platen havingy` ing with said grooves to form racevvays,

' `an axle, a platen framediaving ends, bearing 4balls in Said racevvays, and means coupling rings fixed in said ends, each of said bearing the cones together and confining them perrings having a groove, pairs of `cones manently Within said rings. through which the platen axle extends, tubes \\47. The combination of a platen frame on the platen axle Within said pfairsof cones, having ends provided with holes, headed said pairs of cones being'confined upon said bearing rings forced into said holes, the tubes and co-operat'ing with the grooves in heads being on the inside of the -platen frame the bearing rings to forni raceways, aflid ends, said rings having interior grooves, bearing balls in the raceways, each of said cones encircled by said rings and co -operatbearing rings having a head Within the ing with said grooves to form raceways, platen frame, and said platen. frame having balls in said raceways, and means coupling openings into which said bearing rings are the cones together and confining them perforced. manently within said rings, said coupling 43. The combination of a platen having an means comprising tubes, each having a head axle, a platenv frame having ends, bearing at oney end and spun over at the other lend rings fxed in said ends, each of said bearing dto confine the cones. rings havinga groove, pairs of cones through 48. The combination With a platen, of a which the platen axle extends, tubes on the platen frame having ends provided with platen axle Within said pairs of cones, said holes, headed bearing rings forced into said pairs of cones being confined upon said tubes holes, the heads being on'the inside of the and cooperating with the grooves in the platen frame ends, said rings having interior bearing rings to form raceways, and beargrooves, conesencircled by said ringsand ing balls in the raceways, each of said bearcgi-operating with said grooves to form raceing rings having a head Within the platen. Ways,l balls in said racevvays, `and -means frame, and said platen frame having opencoupling the cones together and confining ings into which said bearing rings are forced, them permanently WithinL said rings, said eac/h opening formed with a flange or brim coupling means comprising tubes, each havto afford a support for the body of the bearing a head at one end and spun over at the ing` ring. other end toconinethe cones, a platen axle 44. The combination of a platen having extending through said cones, said platen an' axle, a platen frame having ends, bearhavingat one end a part which is adjustable ing rings fixed in said ends, each of said to vary the length of the part of the platen surround-ing the platen axle to cause the platen to fit tightlyv between the pairs of cones. N

49. The combination of a letter-feeding carriage, a platen frame, and means mounted upon said carriage to guide said platen frame in ease-shift movements, said platen frame provided at its ends with two-forward'feet to rest upon the carriage` and provlded at its rear ivith a foot midwayfrof its ends, to

rest upon the rear ot the carriage. l p t 50. The combination of a letter-feeding carriage` a platen frame, and means mounted upon said carriage to guide -said platen frame in case-shift movements, said platen frame provided at itsends with two forward feet to rest upon the carriage, and provided at its rear with a foot midway of its ends, to rest upon the rear of the carriage, the. platen frame having bndable portions to enable said three feet to be brought to proper positions upon the carriage,

51. The combination of a platen, a letter` feeding carriage, a rocking frame hinged thereto` a platen frame pivoted to said rock-l ing frame, a lift rail for said platen frame, feet on the ends of the platen frame to support the forward portion thereof upon the carriage, and a foot midway of the platen frame to support the rear of said platen frame upon said carriage.

52. The combination with a letter-feeding carriage having ears, of a rocking frame comprising a hinge-rod or rock shaft and arms extending from said rock shaft, a platen trame connected to said arms, bushings mounted in said carriage ears and provided with interior grooves, cones upon said rock shaft to co-operate with said grooves to form raeeways, bearingballs in said raceways, said bushings being eccentrically mounted in said carriage ears and independently adjustable rotatively, and means for eecting relative adjustment of said bushings to make a tight lit between the rocking frame and the carriage for taking up play.

VVllLlLlAll/l F. HELMOND.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM ll). Svrrrn FRANK Lowa 

